Frontier Primary
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No Frontier hasn't decided on the CCAs to offer. Some parents asked about it during the soft launch, but they haven't had time to meet much i think (the P and trs) so they have not come up with the list. How old is your child? I think by the time he/ she is due for registration, it should be up.
BASC= before after school care.
No, I won't be offended. You are asking reasonable questions.
We don't go by blind faith either. We attended the soft launch, we asked Qs, we read up (Facebook and website of the school) and asked around (try to find MOE insider info). So far what we gleaned has been favourable, so we decided to go for it!
For primary schools, between popular and not so popular schools, I don't see too much of a difference. At least, I don't think it will be a significant difference. In fact, I think being in a new school means new facilities, and the teachers and P will be able to give them lots of attention because they are the only students they have for now. And they are the pioneer batch. There's something nice about being pioneers.
I like that the staff are open and very good at communicating with the parents too. I believe this means the partnership between the school and home will be close and strong?
Maybe from your side, you can try and think of all the benefits you feel come with well known schools? List them down... Then look at the list and decide if it is worth travelling the distance for these factors.
For me, I like the rich history and culture of certain schools. Being Chinese, I do like the emphasis on Chinese roots in SAP schools, but then, I want my kids to have friends from other ethnic groups too. Perhaps in future they will choose SAP secondary schools? That would be up to them. But at least, they will work and study together with a diverse group of friends in primary school. Singapore is a multi-racial society and I hope in future this means they will work very well with others too.
As for academic performance, I look at top scores of PSLE and percentages of those who get into the Express stream and so on, in elite schools. They are very impressive indeed. Perhaps my child would be more motivated if he is in such a school? But then, perhaps he would feel stressed? It is more competitive for sure. Perhaps he will have more opportunities in a smaller pond?
Also, I can't be sure that just by being in an elite school alone, that my child would be that one top scorer, nor can I be sure he would be in the privileged group that would score above 250, maybe? It really depends on his own calibre, his level of motivation and his teachers and home support. Do you agree?
These factors (calibre/ motivation/ home support) are not determined by the school you are in. Teachers, this is a controversial point. For me, I know MOE posts the trained teachers across the nation in a random manner, based partially on where the teachers live, and what needs the school has for that year (more english or mother tongue trs?) etc. So good teachers exist in every school. But some feel that well known schools attract good teachers in that the teacher will approach the schools themselves to teach there. So... anyway... It boils down to how comfortable you are with the belief you hold.
Don't wanna have too long a post here. Maybe if you have many more Qs you can PM me? Hope this helps for now! -
I’ve looked at the list from Popular under FPS but their publisher for Chinese seems different…so decided to get all from the bookstore at FPS!
Done my book order on Sat night and received the confirmation from the book store today! -
oh ya, i didn't notice till you mentioned! i already ordered from Popular cos I noticed their prices were lower. but i didn't buy the textbooks, only workbooks cos I already have the old textbooks. hmmm, i hope it's cos Marshall Cavendish and EPB merged?
don't wanna buy new textbooks! and see my $$ :moneyflies: -
I have no idea but inexperience in school textbooks so thought better not take risk!
No chance of getting hand me down… -
i ordered from popular liao, after your post on the ricky books, i went to ricky site first. after i saw that i have to scan form, i decided to check popular.
cos scanning for me is very troublesome. have to wait for DH to come home from work and then ask him to help me.
(yes, i dunno how to work the scanner at home)
after i saw that popular's prices are lower, i went and ordered liao...
didn't even notice the difference in publisher, just happily tick tick and send in the form.
it was so user friendly and convenient that it was over in a few min, so oops, if wrong, i hope i can do an exchange with them! -
Ok, I went to do some online \"research\" cos I was afraid I would :moneyflies:.
Here's the info.
Under the Marshall Cavendish umbrella:
EPB, Pan pac are also part of MC.
http://www.marshallcavendish.com/contentview.aspx?article_id=108
And specifically under Pan Pac website, we are able to see that the \"New Chinese Language for Primary School\" textbooks and workbooks pictures are the same as those used now that have the EPB Pan Pac publisher name.
http://www.panpaceducation.com/panpacdoc/console/documentListing.aspx?broadLevel=001&subject=001006&id=001006003&bookType=1&submit=Submit
Phew and double phew!
(still can use older son's books for younger one)
post info here in case any other parent is confused by the various publisher names cos different shops may categorise them differently. but all under same Umbrella company. -
I got the books fr popular too…except the math homework & social studies.
Only the character cards (Ch) and Civil & Moral Edu (Ch) are under panpac / EPB… -
Now just eagerly waiting to see how the uniform will look like! suspense is killing me!
11 more days to go, friends!! -
Wow! U did so much research!
I’m also excitedly waiting for Orientation day where we can see the uniform & shoes!!
Any recommendation for school bag & pencil case??
Haven’t got for DS yet…seeking advice…:-) -
Any idea on which digital watch to get for your kids?
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